Dispensing apparatus



p 9 194?- s. (D. POLSEN ET AL- 2,426,70?

DISPEINSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 '7 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTORS Samuel D. Palsen An Sen H. Nelson 7 j v v.

.ATTORNEY P 1947- s. D. FOLS-EN ET AL 2,426,707

' DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 "7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN\ IE TORS Samuel PoZsen qno? Sven H. Nelson Sept. 2, 1947.

S. D. POLSEN ET AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q um mww wv 2 m 3 m? vv 3 mm aw m .H E a N V 1&5 m n w g .3 w: v gm RH s. D. POLSEN ET AL 2,426,707

DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 2, 1947.

l I /87-|L I i l i I P 1947- s. D. POLSEN ET AL 2,426,707

DISPENSING APPARATUS v Filed May 27, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 9 8 27 6 4 vI30 Z7 /49 I 9 I26 I22 [3/ lNVENTO S amuel D. Olsen 'nd Sven H Nelson Sept. 2, 1947. s. D. POLSEN ET AL 2,426,707

' DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS uel D. PoZse-n 1&1: 5 en H.Nelscm ATTORNEY I p 1947- s. D. POLSEN ET AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 \NVENTORS Samuel D. Polsen Anal Sven H. Nelson Fig. 24

Patented Sept. 2, 1947 DISPENSING APPARATUS Samuel D. Polsen and Sven Herbert 'Nelson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignorsofone-fourth to Blanche H. Polsen and one-fourth to Mildred P. Nelson, both of Bridgeport, Conn.

Application May 27, 1944, Serial No. 537,658

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensing apparatus and has particular relation to a means for dispensing articles, especially paper or other inexpensive and disposable containers, as paper cups.

The invention comprehends a mechanism to be used with or as an auxiliary part of a liquid dispensing apparatus and may be mounted in or on the cabinet of a liquid dispensing apparatus or independently of any such cabinet as may be desired or found expedient in any particular instance.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description-taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing machine made in accordance with the invention, the main door of the cabinet thereof being partly open to show mechanism mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on a larger scale of certain control and operating means of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of Fig. 2 the view being taken as looking toward the right side of said Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken as along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational View of a portion of the main door of Fig. 1 and showing the same on a larger scale and from the front side with the mechanism mounted thereon;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken as along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view taken as along the line 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken as along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken as along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken as along the plane of the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken as along the line I |-l l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the parts in another position;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a part of the means for operating the commercial cup dispensers employed and shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6;

Fig. 14 is a similar view of another part'of such means;

Fig. 15 is a detail elevational view of a portion of the edge of the part of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a detached view in top plan of a pair of clutch or coupling elements in one position;

Fig. 17 is a similar view of such elements but in another position;

Fig. 18 shows the wiring diagram;

Fig. 19 is a detail plan View on a smaller scale showing a modification for replacing the means of Figs. 13 and 14;

Fig; 20 is a side elevational view of the means of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the device shown in .1 1

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 2222 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a front elevational view of the main housing or casting shown in ection in Fig. 9;

Fig. 24 is a sectional View showing the pulley mounting; and V Fig. 25 is a perspective view of one of the elements ofja cupfeeding mechanism, with some associated parts.

Referring in detail to the drawings at IE1 is generally'indicated a refrigerating cabinet including a door ll hinged as at [2. Cabinet H] is designated a refrigerating cabinet because in the present instance our invention is disclosed in association-with parts of a liquid dispensing apparatus andrefrigeratin means may be necessary for maintaining the liquid to be dispensed in a cold and palatable condition and to prevent its deterioration. However, it is to be understood that" the present invention isgnot limited to an article or cup dispensing means when mounted on a refrigerating cabinet.

Cabinet 10 is shown as includin a readily removable top l3, adapted simply to be lifted 01f,

and a removable band-like upper portion [4 which may also be removed by being lifted. Within the upper portion'of the cabinet l0 and mounted on a support or plate i5 is a power operated means including an electric motor I 6 and other parts as will be described. The power operated means is coin controlled and while parts of such means have functions in connection with the dispensing of liquid from a container ll (shown in the cabinet It) the present description of such parts will be limited to their functions in connection with the operation of present commercial cup dispensing mechanisms generally designated [8 and [9, respectively.

On theshaft of motor I6 is a worm 20 through which the motor, when energized, serves to drive a worm wheel 21 fixed on a shaft 22 extending at right angles to the motor shaft and supported at the upper side of the plate l5 as in suitably T 7 spaced bearings 23. A worm 24 is fixed to shaft 22 at one side of the wheel 2| while a somewhat longer worm 25 is mounted to turn on said shaft 22 at the opposite side of said wheel.

Mounted-for turning movement :in {a spud .or projection 26 is a vertical'post 2:! having its upper portion flattened at opposite sides and received in a slot or elongated opening 28 intermediate the ends of an arm 29. A horizontal pin 30 passes through such intermediate portion of thea-rm and through the flattened upper-end portion of the post and serves to secure the arm to the post for rocking or pivotal movement relative thereto. From the forward or inner end of the (arm 291a pin 3| projects into a guide or transfer device generally designated 32 while from the upper side of the forward or inner end portion of the arm a stud 33 projects vertically to enter into the thread of the worm 24.

At its outer end the arm 29 is bifurcated as at 34 and straddles a vertically disposed pin 35 mounted by a horse-shoe shaped piece 36 having the inner or free ends of its arms 3;! riveted, bolted or otherwise secured to the rear end'portion of a horizontally slidable carriage generally designated 38. Carriage v38 includes laterally xtending lower side portions 39 received in ways 49 partly defined by the inneredge portions of strips 4.! secured to a base casting .42 as at 43. An L-shaped member including a foot portion 44 and a vertical portion 45 is mounted on the mentioned casting as by screws 46 passing through its said foot portion. 7 It is noted that the L-shaped member is'at on end of the carriage or slide 38 and is straddled by the arms 31 ,of piece 36. Wings @512 extend laterally to each side of the vertical portion .45.

Carriage 38 includes an upper or topplate 41 to which a bolt 48 pivotally secures a devicegenerally vdesignated .49 including-a finger-like portion 50 and a head portion'5l the latter including lateral portions 52 and a projecting tonguelike portion v53. Device 49 is shown with its portions 52 against the vertica1 portion 45 of the above mentioned L-shaped member and with its tongue-like portion 53 disposed in an opening 45a in portion 45 and which opening is provided with a pair of inclined faces 54 and :5. "A 0011 spring 56 anchored to the carriage at 5] and to the member 45 at 58 tends 'to re tain the carriage in position supporting the de- Vice 49- as shown in 2 and to return such parts to such positions when moved therefrom and then released.

Fixed to a front vertical flange 59 of the plate I5 is a counter GU having an actuating arm 6|. This counter is acommercial product of well known construction now on the market. As the arm 61 is depressed and released the counter registers. On the carriage 38 is a member '52 including an inclined loweredge 63 riding on the counter arm 6|. The arrangement is such that each time the carriage 3,8 is advanced and retracted the lower edge 6,3, of the member B2 riding on the arm 6i serves to depress the latter and cause the counter to register one additional digit. As shown the member 62 is formed from a piece of sheet metal and is secured to th carriageby screws or the like 54. r

A latch bar 65 ,is carried by and extends across the forward end portion ,of the carriage 3,8 and movement of the :latch plate in the slot but prehaving ;an inclined surface '59 and a straight or V verticalsurface 1.0. The .keeper .is positioned in the path of movement of the free end portion of the latch 65 and as the carriage 38 moves toward the left in Fig. 2 (as Will be set forth) the free. end of the latch bar moves up surface 69 and then as movement of the carriage continues the latch .bar is shifted to a point where its free end portion drops back .of the surface 'Hl so that return movement of the carriage under the influence of spring 56 is prevented until the latch bar is raised and freed of the surface 70.

A'lifter or releasing device H is located on the upper side of plate l5 to one side of the path of movement of the carriage and is turnable about a pivot 72. Such device includes an inclined or bevelled'portion Band an arm-like portion 14 located in the path of movement of a nut 15 on the worm or feed screw 25. Device H is biased aboutthepivot 12in a direction to bring its armlike portion against a stop pin 1 la and to take its bevelled portion 73 away from the free end portion, of the latch 65, as by a 0011 spring 16 secured to portion 14 and anchored to the plate l15 a s at Ll. Nut 75 isadapted to be fed back and forth by the worm 25 as the latter is turned first in one direction and then in the opposite direction-and the nut is held against turning movement with the worm since the 'nut is .provided on its underside (Fig. 3) with a projection 18 slidable along between a pair of members "l9 carried by the casting 42.;

'While the screw 25 is feeding the nut 15 to.- ward the arm 74 motor' [Bis operating and is rotating the sh a,f;t 2,2 and a shiftable clutch-element 85 driven by the sha'ft' is engaged with the teeth Bl of a combined clutch and reel 82 whereby the latter is-being rotated by the motor to-wind up :a chain 83 and raise a weight which may be and preferably is in theform of a dipper pivoted on the-lower end of va rod as disclosed in our copending application Serial Number 438,232 filed April 9, '1-942, now Patent 2,378,430 of June 19, 1945. Shiftable clutch element maybe. controlledin any suitable manner or by any suitable means, as, for example, the meansdisclosed in the mentioned patent.

Chain 83 passes over a pulley 84 supported as by brackets 84a and through anopening 85 in plate l5 and atitslower end supports the ,mentioned Weight (the dipper) not shown. The brackets 84a are in the, nature of fingers or lugs depending from the-under side of a, cap 841) normally disposed on the upper side of altube 84c passing through the opening -35 in the plate 15. InFig. 2 the view is taken as though cutting immediately under'the cap 84b but suchcap and the lugs and pulley are shown aSsembledin'Fig. 24. At the proper timeyany suitablemeans, as the means disclosed ,in said patent, shifts clutch element 80 thereby releasing the reel 82 from the shaft 122.,and-theweight on the chain 83 draws the latter downwardly reversing the direction of movement of thereel'and the latter being fast .to the worm or screw 25 rotates theilatter on shaft 2-2 bu-t in a directionireverse to that in which'it is driven by the motor so that the nut 15 is fed back towa-rd the worm wheel 2:].

However, the, relation of the parts with which we are inunediately concerned is such that prior to the limit; of its feed by the screw 25 the nut r 15 engages the arm 14 of means H and rocks such means in opposition to the spring I8 whereby the cam-like portion of the means enters under and raises the free end portion of the latch 65 freeing the said latch from the shoulder 18 of the keeper whereupon the spring 58 may act to impart return movement to the slide 38 which slide has previously been moved by the motor I6 as will now be described.

When the motor is operating it is rotating the worm 24 in a direction to feed the pin 33 and thus the inner portion of arm 29 toward the right as seen in Fig. 2. Thus the arm pivots with the post 21 and receiving the pin 35 in its bifurcation 34 moves the pin and the piece 38 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2 shifting the slide 38 in such direction and tensioning the coil spring 55.

In addition to the described pivotal movement with the post 21 the arm 29 is mounted for rocking movement with the pin 30 as an axis. A weight 86 on the outer end portion of the arm 29 tends to maintain the same in position with its pin 33 either in the thread of the worm 24 or in a position tending to enter such thread. The position of pin 3| in the transfer device 32 determines whether the pin 33 i permitted to enter the thread of worm 24 or is held spaced from such entry for a return movement of the arm 29 with post 21 as an axis.

Transfer device 32 (see Figs..11, 12, 21 and 22) includes a bod 87 comprising a mounting portion 33 and a horizontal surface portion 89 above which projects spaced ears 90 and 9| A rear wall 92 of the body carries a forwardly extending ledge 93 disposed above and in substantially parallel relation with the surface 89. A pivot 94 mounts a movable transfer element 95, including a plate-like portion 35, at the rear of the ears 90 and IN and pivoted to the ear 90.

Carried by portion 98 is a top portion 97 connected with the plate at a point between the cars 98 and SI and then extending toward an end of the body 8? in such position that the ear 9I is received between such top portion 91 and the rear plate-like portion 96. Portion 97 is. bevelled at its inner end as at 98 and at its outer end is thickened as at 99 and provided with a slight nib I90 and beyond such nib with an inner end wall I9I. A pair of pins I92 and I03 projecting from the ends of the body 8'! and the thickened end portion 99' have a coil spring I04 anchored to them at its respective ends and this spring constantly tends to keep the element 95 in the position shown in Fig. 11.

It will be understood that the top portion 91 of element 95 is located over or vertically above the ledge 93 and that movement of the element 95 on its pivot 94 is guided by the ear 9I of the body and which ear i located between portions 99 and 97. A transfer member I95 is pivoted to the body 81 at I96 and at its free end includes a projecting portion I91 curved in its inner side to provide a socket or recess I83. A coil spring I09 is anchored at its respective ends to the pivot 94 and the member I95 and constantl tends to maintain said member in the position of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 shows the pin 3! on the upper side of the ledge 93 and closely adjacent the end of such ledge. When pin 3| is in this position pin is in the thread or groove of the nut 24 and is being fed therealong and the arm 29 is being rocked with the post 21 as a pivot and in a direction to force the piece 38 and thereby the slide 38 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2. Now approximately asthe pin 33 reaches the endof the groove of Worm 24 the pin 3| acting against the side of the nib I00 forces the outer end portion of the element 95 upwardly further stretching the coil spring I04 beyond the position of Fig. 12-.

Pin 3| then passes off the ledge 93 and being no longer supported by the ledge is only urged upwardly by the weight 80. Spring I04 then acts to move the element 95 about the pivot 94 and thus such element is shifted from theposition of Fig. 12; to that of Fig. 11 and the pin 3| moved down to the dotted line position of Fig. 11 and the pin 33 disengaged from worm 24. Arm 29 remains in a position corresponding with the mentioned dotted line position of pin 3I until the latch 65 is released and then as the slide 38 returns to normal position because of the tend ency of spring 58 it returns the piece 36 and the arm 29 to their normal positions. During this return movement of the arm its pin 3| is below the ledge 93 and on the surface 89 and the arm carried pin 33 is maintained below the worm 24.

As the arm 29 is returned to the mentioned position the pin 3| riding under the ledge 93 forces the member I05 to rock about its pivot I05 against the action of the spring I09 and when the pin 3I comes to the end of the ledge and is freed of the latter spring I09 rocks member I05 on its pivot, carrying the pin 3I from the full line position of Fig. 11 to the dotted line position of Fig. 12. This involves an upward movement of the pin 3| and of the end of arm 29 and earries the pin 33 into the thread or groove of worm 24 ready to be again fed across the transfer means to repeat the cycle of operation described.

A collar or bearing means III! on the upper side of the base 42 receives a portion of a vertical shaft III to the upper end portion of which is fixed a head II2 comprising a body II3 fixed to the shaft and a pair of wing-like portions H4 and H5. An extension or flange H6 on the bearing means I I0 forms a stop for the member I I2 limiting its turning movement relative to the said bearing means. Each wing I I4 and I I5 has a socket I I! in its underside and a pair of spring pressed plungers II 8 and '9 are adapted to enter the sockets of the respective wings when the latter are moved into alignment with the plungers.

Head H2 i rocked in alternate directions on successive movements of the slide 38 toward the head. Thus as the worm 24 rocks arm 29, with the post 21 as the axis, the slide 38 is moved toward head IIZ owing to the connection of the arm with the piece 36, which connection is through the bifurcated end portion 34 of the arm and the pin 35. As the slide moves (assuming the parts to be positioned as in Fig. 2) the free end of the part 50 of member :49 engages the body portion H3 of the head at the side of said body toward the wing H5 and will slide on the inclined wall of the body into the notch between the body and wing and will rock the head in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Since the head is fast to the shaft III a similar movement is imparted to the shaft. The fiat outer side of said wing will engage flange II6 fixing the limit of movement of the parts.

Later the slide 38 moves back as has been described. and 'the position of the head has been reversed from that shown in Fig. 2. Now when the slide or carriage is again advanced the free end of part 50 engaging the inclined side of 'body I I3 toward the wing I I4 slides into the notchbe tween said, wing and the body and rocks the 7 head, 2 and the shaft 'I III back to the position of Fig. 2, the movementybeing in a counterclockwise direction. Thus the head or member II2 andthe shaft II I are rocked back and forth on alternate movement of the slide 38. Oneach return movement of the slide. th tongue-like extension 53 of the head of. member 49 engaging one of the inclined surfaces 54 and. '55 is shifted to bring the entire member 29 back to the normal straight position of Fig. 2 so as to have its free end disposed adjacent one side of thebody H3 of'head II2. W

The shaft III passes downwardly through the plate I5 and the innerto-p wall of cabinet Ill being exposed within the cabinet as shown in Fig. 1. Within the cabineta coupling element I20 (see Figs. 16 and 1'7) is fixed to the shaft and when the door II is closed such element is coupled with a complemental element I2'I fixed on the upper end of ;a shaft I22 mounted on the inner sideof the cabinet door. Element I2! enter the open side of the element I20 when the'door II is closed so that any turning movement imparted to the head 2 and thus to the shaft III is transmitted through the coupling elements to the shaft 122.

Shaft I22 is mounted for turning movement in a bearing I23 on the inner side of door II and is located between a pair of tubular cup holders I24 and I25 which at their lower ends enter or communicate with the entrances of the cup dispensing mechanisms I8 and I9, respectively. The

. mechanisms I8 and I9 are well known commercial structures and therefore will be but briefly described herein. It is here noted that the mechanisms used need not be those herein disclosed as the invention is not limited to such or to any special construction-of cup dispensing mechanism.

Devices I8 and I9 are alike and are shown in detail in Patent 2,268,421 of December 30, 1941 to Reifsnyder .et al. However, .the structures are briefly described here and each includes a ring I26 having rack teeth in its inner peripheral edge 7 and which teeth mesh with those of small gears I21. On the shafts with gears l2! are elements I28 each having a peripheral flange I29 about a portion of its edge. The ring I26 is turnable within the walls 130 .of the shells of the respective mechanisms and such wall of each mechanism has an arcuate elongated slot I3I therein and through which passes a pin I32 rigid with the ring I 26 of such mechanism. When the elements are positioned with their flanges I29 as in Fig. 6 a cup entering the mechanism will be supported by having its lip or bead rest on surface portions I29a of the elements and Whichsurface portions are located in planes below the planes of the lower-surfaces of the leading ends of the flanges I29.

As the :pin I32 i moved from one end of its slot I-3I to the other end thereof the ring I26 is given -a turning .movement and the elements I 28 are moved With-.the-sm all gears-and the positions of the elements reversed to have surfaces l29a toward the wall I30 of the shell of the mechanism. Now the lowermost cup entering the mechanism is supported by having its bead rest on the top faces of the elements I28 and the cup formerly the lowermost-of the stack has been dispensed. On the next movement of pin I32 the stack of cups falls to the surfaces I-29a of the mechanism Nor was thecase may be. Thenext movement is as first described and the lowermost cup is separated from the stack and forceddown and out of the mechanism by th flange I29.

Thus the two mechanisms *l'BjzQgHd. I8 are of such construction that on movements of their pin 132 first in one direction and then in the opposite direction the entire stack entering the mechanisms is dropped by the first movement and is thereafter supported-on the surfaces I29a of the elements I28. On the second motion of the pins the lowermost cup is separated from the stack and while the latter is supported on top face of elements I28 the .lowermost cup is separated from the stackand dropped from the mechanism.

In the present construction we arrange the mechanismste and I9 in opposite relation to one another or in stepped relation in so far as their operation is concerned. 'Our present operating means moves-the .pins I132 of thetwo mechanisms'simultaneously-and in the same direction. However, the'stepped relation of the partsis such that as the pins are :moved 'inone direction the stack entering one mechanism is supported on.

the surfaces I-29a while the stack entering the other mechanism is supported on the top faces of elements I23. Therefore at the time that the again dropped onto the surf-aces I-29a of such mechanism. Thus each time the pins I32 of the mechanisms are operated they are operated simultaneously (by :means to "be described) and cups are fed fromone mechanism,as mechanism I8, on the first movement of the pins I32 and.

from the other mechanism, .as mechanism I9, on the second or reverse movements of the .pins.

Means are provided whereby movement of shaft I22 is translated into movement of the pins I32. To this end the .-lower end of the shaft is rigid with'an element I33 (see Fig. 13) comprising a body L34 having a pair of arcuate depressions. or cam recesses I35 and I36 located in one side thereof and at opposite-sides of the axis or center of movement of the body as represented by the shaft I22. An extension I31 of the body carriesa cam I38 on its upper side the purpose of which will be set forth. Disposed on the upper side .of the body I34 is-a .member I39 (see Fig. 14) comprisinga body I40 having a'slot I4I therethrough and having slots-I42 and I23 entering from its opposite sides or ends. pins Hi l and M5 project from the underside of body ME and enter the respective depressions I35 and I36. 7

The slot MI provides for the passage of the shaft .122. A pairof pins I46 on. the upper side of the body I40 and at opposite ends of the slot i4! enter a slot *IM in a fixed bracket or guide 'mernber M18 extending-over the member I39 and fast to the door :I I. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 elements M9 are connected with the exposed-ends of the pins I32 and each such element includes a pin-like portion I50. Such portions of the elements on the .pins of the respective mechanisms I8 and I9 extend into the slots I4 and i l-31in the bodyof element I39] Our construction is such thatv when shaft I22 is turned throughapproximately degrees the same movement is imparted to the element 133. The pins 'IMand I45-on the undersideof the element I39 are in the :recesses I35 and I36 of the member 1-33 but the member I39 cannot turn A pair of with the element I33. The center of element I33 remains the same. Thereforeas I33 is turned the element I39 is given a movement in the direction of the length of the slots MI and I41 (in element I 69 and bracket I48, respectively) and in a direction transverse to the directions of the lengths of the slots I42 and I43. Thus owing to the pins I56 and heads I49 the pins I32 are given movements along the slots I 6I in the shells of the mechanisms I8 and I9 as the shaft I22 is turned.

As the shaft is turned in one direction the element I39 is moved in one direction and as the direction of turning of the shaft is reversed the element I 39 is moved back to its original position.

direction a cup is fedfrom one mechanism (as I8) while the stack of the other mechanism drops onto the surfaces I29a of the elements thereof. Then on reverse movement of the shaft I22 the lowermost cup of the other mechanism (as I9) is fed from the latter and the stack of the other or first mechanism is lowered or drops onto the surfaces I 29a of its elements I28.

The cups fed from the mechanisms I6 and I9. enter the upper portion of a casting generally designated I! (see Figs. 1, 5, 8, 9 and comprising front and back walls I52 and I53 and end walls I54 and I55 the lower portions of the latter being inclined toward one another as at I56 and I51, respectively. Wall I53 has an opening I 58" lip I66 comprising a substantial portion of a circle but open at its forward side, or its side toward the door II. Inclined wall portions I56 and I51 form the sides of a chute leading from the mechanisms I9 and I9 to the common exit I 66a. The forward portion of casting I5! is cut away as along the line I6I (see Figs. 5 and 23) and an opening I62 is provided in the door II. Openings I6! and I62 are in alignment or register and so a person may, by reaching through such openings, take a cup which is being supported in the compartment by the lip I 66. Depending wall portions I59a, I59!) and I 63, comprising portions of the back wall I53 andthe end walls I54 and IE5, respectively, of the casting I5I close off the openings I6! and I62 from the inside of the cabi-v net IIl. Thus, when a cup is suspended from the lip I66 such cup is located in a compartment, three sides of which are made up by the wall portions I59a, I591), and I63. The front side of such compartment is defined by a glass panel I15, the mounting of which will later be described.

The paper cups used have a lip about their upper edges as is usual and when a cup is fed from one of the mechanisms I6 and I9 it drops into the casting I5! and onto either the wall I56 or the wall I51 depending on the mechanism from which the cup has been fed. The front and rear walls of the casting I5I toward the lower ends of the walls I56 and I51 are provided with cam-like or raised portions I65 and I65, respectively. Such portions may be merged into both the respective end walls I56 and I51 and the adjacent portions of the front and rear walls.

The cam-like or raised portions I64 and I65 are somewhat in the nature of raised fillets be- Therefore on turning of the shaft I2 2 in one nature of mergers so that a smooth structure is provided which is easily cast.

As a discharged cup moves down the walls I56 and I51 toward the lip I60 the cup striking the mentioned cam-like portions has its open end thrown upwardly as suggested by the cup I 66 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 and thus the closed end portion of the cup (which closed end portion is of smaller diameter than the open end portion) is-directed through the opening partly defined by the lip I66. The cup finally reaches the position shown by the upper portion of cup I61 of Figs. 9 and 10. When the cup is in the position of cup I61 the spout I59 discharges into the cup but the means for effecting such discharge is not claimed herein and thus will not be further defined.

When the cup is fed as described it is prevented from moving through the open side of the lip I66 and is retained in the exact proper place to receive the discharge from the spout I59 by a small segment I68 which substantially completely closes the open side of the lip. This segment is movable from the position shown and described and is in fact carried on an end of an arm I69 pivotally -mounted as at I10 on the front wall I52 of the main casting I5I. The arm I69 is located in and is movable in a depressed or recessed portion I531;

-of the front wall of the casting I SI.

vertical grooves or ways in which is vertically ,slidable a panel I15 of glass or other transparent material. The compartment receiving the cup when the same is suspended from the lip I 6| extends through the door I I and the thickness of the latter provides a portion of the compartment. As the glass panel I15 closes the opening I62 through this door, such panel when in closed positionjserves to close the compartment and when shifted opens the compartment.

The edge of panel I15 is provided with a metal band or reenforcement I16 having ,a hand or finger piece I11, in the nature of a lifting device, on its lower portion. Clearly the panel may be raised and lowered in the described vertical ways and may be manipulated by the piece I11. A

metal or other rigid finger-like member I18 ex cated a considerable distance below the segment I68 but in vertical alignment therewith.

When a cup is to be removed from the lip I69,

and it is noted'that the lip supports a dispensed cup in suspended relation to the remainder of motor "I6 cont'inuesto operate.

' theistructurathe hand piece I I TI is usedto 'raise the panel H 'an'd as the panel is'move'd'upwardly' in fthe ca'sting "I'll the finger-like piece 'I'I'8'en- 'ga ges the under side of the'segment "I68-o r the arm "I 69 and swings thesegment upwardly to an "out ofthe way'positiomthe'arm I'M-swinging on its-pivot I'lfi. Then the oper'ator'merely re aches 'in'through the door opening I52 and'the opening in the front wall of the box-like'casting I5I and removes the cup.

. The operation of thejpres'ent "rriechanism' for the'dispensing of a cup,'as cup IB'I, iscoincontrolled. To this end a coin slot device, generally designated I19, is mounted on the door 'I I. Such device includes a slide. I3'Ghaving 'a pair of openings [BI andfIBZ therethrough. When the slide is drawn'forwardly its opening I81 is exposed at "the forward side of. the 'door II andithen the proper coin is'placed'in the opening IB I and'the slidepushed'backthrough the door. This brings theopening I'SI into alignmentwith an opening I83 through a 'ioase'member FM and the coin drops from openin MRI-through opening I-83and passes through a channel I'8 5to close a switch I85 --a-s in;the-'circuit'shown in Fig. 18., wherein'the coin is numbered IB'L. Thus the circuit to motor 16 is closed andithe latter operates to rotate thefshaft"22 thus rotating the worm 24 and thro-ughthe, clutchele- -ment 8ll the reel 'S-Ian dthe wormor "feed screw "25. Vifor-mEZI'as-it rotates rocksthe arm'flfi with post 21 as an axis ,thereby forcingthe slide or carriage 3B {toward'the left jasviewed in Fig. 2.

AS-the-pieceSB is movedby the arm *29 to inturn -move the slide-38 a normallyclosed switch I88 is permitte'dito close-since such switch is held openby'piece 35 when the latter -is'in normal position or the -,p osition of restshown-in-Fig. 2.

Now the motorcircuit is closed independent "of the switch I85.

As slide 38 moves or is moved thepart 50 car- 'rie'dthereby engages" the head! I2 and imparts attirningmoyement toj-the-shaft I [I and'through theboiiplinlg devices 12 1! "and l 2| imparts turning 'rnovement tothe shaft 1'22. 'Th'e latter turns the device I '33"with the result that the device "I-39flis fed-"inwardly or out wa'rdly toward or fro'm' 'the door I! and operates'the pins -'I3'2 of the dispehser mechanisms "I8 and I9 to dispense a cup irom o'ne aridcondition the other "for the :dis-

pe'rlsing eta-cup. Asth'e device I 33 is turnedits "cam' I'38' rides under and raises a' p in l'69'o'n'the upper end of 'a crank arm I 90 pivoted at I 9 I and hevi'ng its lower end portion m provided 'witne lip-like portion I-92-a, positioned 'unblerthe coi n "while'the latter is in switch 'clo'si'ng position. As

the arm is melted its-portion M260 is "moved "from under (see Fig. '5) 'the coin I81 per mitting the same to fall 7 from circui-t 'm'aking relation with "the switch I86.

When this happens the circuitto the 'mo'toris entirely'dependentonth'e switch IBBJ At 'this 'time the slide :38"h'a's been moved completely-over and is being held in position since the-latch'bar 65 is engaged "with the stop 'or shoulder -'I-D-and .the' slide and in addition thereto, -the piece '35 and thearm-29 are-held against return movementbut with the pin 3| inthe dotted'line-position of Fig. ll and with pin 33 below the worm 24. 'Thus the switch I88 remains closed and-the 'I-Io'wever, since the shaft [22 has had a turning movement imparted thereteacuphas been released andis on .thelipgl'fifl.

' The'motor continuestooperate until the' hut {I88fand open the'latter bringing the motor I6 to a stop. Now the clutch element 80 has'beenreleased from the reel "82 and the weighted'chain 83 gravitating downwardly reverses the direction of rotation of the screw 25-thus feedingthe'lnut 75 back to "its original or normal position, 'The 'oper'ator'may now lift the panel I and remove 5 thedisp'ensedcup from'lip I60.

7 The tube I feeding cups 'to the mechanism 19 is providedin one side with a vertical 'sl'ot l93 {through which passes 'an arm 194 of a' weight 195. On-the outer end of such arm'is a plug or pro- 12 -jection 196. "Weight 195 is a follower-and the plug I96 is in vertical alignment with a guide means I'SI'IFon the'u-pper'side-of the coincontrol m'eansor deVice IIB, As the'cups'are used from the tube I25 the follower 'I95'moves downwardly therein and whenthe last cup is gone the plug I 96 passes through an'opening 198 in a cover j plate i 99 of the coin control device and en ters'the second opening numbered "I=82"-in the'slide T80 l ockin'g' the slide in it's innemnost position sot-hat 3 fit may notbe pulle'dout and'a coin'pla'ced'inits opening lfil. Thus when the cupsare use'd upa prospective user 'may "not place his money" in 'the coin control device only to i'indthafl'h will not loe ser'ved. When 'th'ereis no cup available.for

machine. I 'Referrin'g now to the circuit of 'Fig."18 the 1iriewires*arenumbered? 00 and 20 1.. 'Wire 2110 leads to the "motor "I6 "and wire i262 from the 'motor' connected with' a' cross'wire 203 leading 'toa'contact zot of the Fswitch F188. fwhen thls switch is biased the return circuit isithrou'gh wire 205 to lead '20I. Wire 2413 :ra'lso 11 connects with a contact "2H6 of "the "switch tafi :ain'd "when is *that switch is closed it serves t'o "connect wire 2 03With a wire 20! leading tothe'line wire-12m. With the wiring des cribd arid with the'=svv'ittih "I 88 "of the "normally closed type but held open "by h ie-@6 36 w-hen the laltter is ih normal' position it will be seen that onclosin'g of the switch When the pieceh'fi is moved'bvthe arm 29 "the switch "I88 is permitted to close and-then when the coinis ejected by thekicker deVice 'I-SO the motor circuit is maintained being then I contact 204, switch I88, wire "205 and. f: line wire "'Z'DI. On'return'of'the piece '35 *to normal-position' the switch i ra'a f opened and the switch i we "at that time being also open themotor' isdeenergized. When thecoinis"remeved fromcirjcuit closing relation with the switch F8? 6 it tal-ls intothe -lower portion of *the casting 5I flout at theouter side-of the wall IM thereOPand may be'removed onopeningof a"door iilli. V

Figs. 19 and 2G show *a' modification. "of the means for translating turning movement of the shaft -I22 aboutawertical axis 'intohojrizontal movement of the *pins F32. Thus :in' said figures the shaft 'now designated E2211 and theoperating "pins'beirig' designated I SZ'cc thesaid pins areshown as each having attached thereto or integral therewith upright portions 209 received between the arms 2H] and 2H of the bifurcated end portion of a lever 2|2 fixed to the lower end of shaft 122a. Clearly as the shaft [22a is turned first in one direction and then in the opposite direction the pins 532a will be moved back and forth moving the rings I26 of the respective cup dispensing mechanisms l8 and [9 to have them alternately dispense cups a above described.

Having thus set forth the nature of our in-- vention, what we claim is:

1. In a cup dispenser, a cup dispensing mechanism for dropping cups one at a time, means for receiving cup-s dropped from said mechanism, a horizontal exit at the lower end of said means, said exit including a lip open at one side, movable means closing said side of said lip to prevent casual movement of a cup therefrom, coil controlled power means for operating said mechanism to have it drop a cup, means defining a compartment about said exit, said means including a movable wall for giving access to said exit, and means movable with saidwall for moving said movable means to an out of the way position to permit of movement of a cup from said lip through the open side thereof.

2. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a pair of cup feeding mechanisms, a chute for receiving cups from said mechanisms and leading to a common exit, said exit comprising a substantially horizontally disposed opening having thereabout a lip of a diameter to be engaged by the upper portion of a cup and support the latter in a suspended position, the edgeof said exit being omitted at one side for lateral removal of a cup from the suspended position, a movable part normally closing the space from which said edge is omitted to prevent tilting of a cup fed to: said exit by said chutes, and means manually operable to move said part to an out of the wa position to permit of lateral removal of a cup suspended from said lip.

3. In a cup dispensing apparatus, a pair of cup feeding mechanisms, a chute for receiving cups from said mechanisms and leading to a common exit, said exit comprising a substantially horizontally disposed opening having thereabout a lip, said lip of a diameter to be engaged by the upper portion of a cup and support the latter in a suspended position, the edge of said exit being omitted at one side for lateral removal of a cup from suspended position, a, movable part normally closing the space from which said edge is omitted to prevent tilting of a cup fed to said exit by said chutes, means defining a closed compartment below said exit, said means including a wall shiftable to give access to said compartment, and means movable with said wall to shift said part to an out of the way position to, permit of lateral removal of a cup suspended from said lip.

4. In a dispensing apparatus, a horizontal support, a door below said support, cup dispensing means on the inner side of said door, said door having an opening therein and through which a dispensed cup may be removed, power means on said support, and means for coupling said power means with said cup dispensing means, said coupling means including a part movable with said door and a complemental part below and supported from said horizontal support.

5. In a dispensing apparatus, a, horizontal support, a door below said support, a cup dispensing means on the inner side of said door, said door having an opening therethrough and through which a dispensed cup may be removed, .a motor on said support, a vertical shaft, means operated by said motor for imparting turning movements to said shaft, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a coupling element on the lower end of said shaft inwardly of said door, a shaft on the inner side of said door for operating said dispensing means, a coupling element on said shaft, and said coupling elements comprising complemental parts automatically engageable on closing of said door. 7

6. In a dispensing apparatus, a horizontal support, a door below said support, a cup dispensing means on the inner side of said door, said door having an opening therethrough and through which a dispensed cup may be removed, a motor on said support, a vertical shaft, means operated by said motor for imparting turning movements to said shaft first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a coupling element on the lower end of said shaft inwardly of said door, a shaft on the inner side of said door for operating said dispensing means, a coupling element on said shaft, and said coupling elements comprising complemental parts of which one fits into a laterally open side of the other whereby such parts may be separated on opening of the door and automatically engaged on closing of the door regardless of the direction in which the motor last turned the first mentioned shaft.

7. In a dispensing apparatus, means forming a compartment, a chute leading to an upper portion of said compartment, means for releasing paper cups to said chute and thus to said compartment, means to engage the upper portions of a cup moving from said chute and support the cup in suspended position, said last means including a side portion shiftable to permit lateral removal of a cup from said means.

8. In a dispensing apparatus, means forming a compartment, a chute leading to an upper portion of said compartment, means for releasing paper cups to said chute and thus to said compartment, means to engage the upper portions of a cup moving from said chute and support the cup in a suspended position, said last means including a side portion shiftable to permit lateral removal of a cup from said means, a transparent panel closing one side of said compartment, means mounting said panel for movement to give access to said compartment, and means movable with said panel to move said side portion as said panel is moved to permit of removal of a cup from the means to support the cup in a suspended position.

SAMUEL D. POLSEN.

SVEN HERBERT NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,091,921 Flatan Mar,-31, 1914 2,227,196 Nicholson Dec. 31, 194.0

688,874 McCullough Dec. 17, 1901 730,624 Elliott June 9, 1903 1,621,098 Anderson Mar. 15, 1927 2,237,411 Carlson Apr. 8, 1941 

